Charitable Trusts

Charitable Remainder Trusts, often referred to as CRTs, are one of the most flexible planned giving instruments available. CRTs provide regular payments to individuals during the term of the trust, and then leave a gift to the charities selected by the donor. Several types of CRTs are available; each designed to meet the donor’s specific planning needs. Many donors find that CRTs are an excellent way to:

• Diversify highly-appreciated stock holdings,

• Qualify for a significant current tax deduction while maintaining or increasing the donor’s income, or

• Leave a significant testamentary gift to children or grandchildren who would benefit from a stream-of-income gift rather than a lump-sum inheritance.

A CRT can be simple or complex, but all CRTs should be reviewed by the donor’s professional advisors to ensure that the trust will meet the donor’s needs and objectives. A Charitable Remainder Trust can be started with Christian Church Foundation with a gift of $250,000.

 

The Sally Smith Charitable Trust

Sally Smith pursued her call to ministry at Lexington Theological Seminary, graduating in 1953 with a Masters Degree in Religious Education. After serving congregations in Springfield, IL, and Iowa City, IA, Sally became the full-time campus minister for the United Campus Ministries, University of Iowa.

In addition to immersing herself in the university’s culture and community, Sally was deeply committed to peace and justice issues. She toured southern states in the 1960s, supporting the efforts of Disciples pastors to racially integrate their congregations and communities. Sally was among the first people in a Disciples delegation into Vietnam following the war in an effort to reconcile our two nations.

Actively serving the local, regional, and national ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Sally knew she wanted to leave much of her estate to support ministries of the Christian Church. Working with the Christian Church Foundation, Sally’s estate plans included generous outright gifts to a permanent fund she established during her lifetime as well as two charitable remainder trusts for the benefit of her niece and nephew that were established at her death. The charitable remainder of these trusts will eventually add to Sally’s permanent fund, allowing Sally’s fund to make even larger annual distributions to ministries she loved: First Christian Church in Coralville, IA; Lexington Theological Seminary; Global Ministries; Week of Compassion; Higher Education and Leadership Ministries; and Disciples Mission Fund.